ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Science & Technology
SwarnaJayanti Fellow to work on Metal CO2 battery which can reduce payload mass & launch costs of planetary missions
Prof Chandra Shekhar Sharma, from IIT Hyderabad recently demonstrated the technical feasibility of Lithium- CO2 battery in simulated Mars atmosphere for the first time, patent filed for the technology
India's planetary missions like Mars Mission may soon be able to reduce payload mass and launch costs with the help of an indigenously developed Metal- CO2 battery with CO2 as an Energy Carrier.
Chandra Shekhar Sharma, Associate Professor from Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad and a recipient of this year’s SwarnaJayanti fellowship instituted by the Department of Science & Technology , Government of India, will be working to develop Scientific Understanding and Technical Development of Metal- CO2 battery with CO2 as an Energy Carrier for India's Mars Mission.
Prof Sharma recently demonstrated the technical feasibility of Lithium- CO2 battery in simulated Mars atmosphere for the first time. This study was published in the journal Elsevier’s Materials Letters, and an Indian patent has been filed for it. As a part of the SwarnaJayanti Fellowship, he aims to develop a working prototype of Metal -CO2 battery technology and explore the feasibility of this technology in the Mars mission, particularly for the surface landers and rovers by using the CO2 gas which is abundantly available in its atmosphere. The development of Metal-CO2 batteries will provide highly specific energy density with the reduction in mass and volume, which will reduce payload mass and launch cost of planetary missions.
Another parallel aspect of this research is to develop Metal-CO2 battery technology also as a promising clean strategy for restraining the climate effects of CO2 emissions. Metal-CO2 batteries have a great potential to offer significantly high energy density than the currently used Li-ion batteries and provide a useful solution to fix CO2 emissions, which is better than energy-intensive traditional CO2 fixation methods.
[For more details, contact Prof. Chandra Shekhar Sharma .]
Ministry of Science & Technology
Indian Initiative to fight COVID-19
CSIR supports efforts to develop a drug to save lives of critically ill patients suffering from Gram-negative sepsis
CSIR, is now initiating a randomized, blinded, two arms, active comparator-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of the drug for reducing mortality  in critically ill COVID-19 patients
The Drugs Controller General of India  has approved the trial and it will start soon at multiple hospitals
It is found to be extremely safe in patients and no systemic side effects are associated with its use
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research , through its flagship New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative  program, has been supporting Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Ahmedabad since 2007 for developing a drug to save lives of critically ill patients suffering from Gram-negative sepsis. This entire development effort  has been supervised by CSIR appointed Monitoring Committee. The drug has been shown to reduce the mortality of critically ill patients by more than half. It also leads to faster recovery of organ dysfunction seen in this condition. It is now approved for marketing in India. It will be available commercially as Sepsivac® from Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
This is a moment of pride for all of us as, despite best efforts, no other drug was approved in Gram-negative sepsis for reducing mortality  globally.
In Gram-negative sepsis as well as in critically ill COVID-19 patients, there is an altered immune response leading to a massive change in their cytokine profile. The drug modulates the immune system of the body and thereby inhibits the cytokine storm leading to reduced mortality and faster recovery.
Looking at similarities between clinical characteristics of patients suffering from COVID-19 and Gram-negative sepsis, CSIR, is now initiating a randomized, blinded, two arms, active comparator-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of the drug for reducing mortality  in critically ill COVID-19 patients. The Drugs Controller General of India  has approved the trial and it will start soon at multiple hospitals.
The drug contains heat-killed Mycobacterium W . >It is found to be extremely safe in patients and no systemic side effects are associated with its use.It can be used concurrently with any other therapies required in the management of such critically ill patients without any restriction. Its unique properties include boosting protective immunity  and suppressing non-protective response .
CSIR has also planned to evaluate Mw for faster recovery of hospitalized COVID-19 infected patients and minimize the spread of disease through them as well for providing prophylaxis to persons coming in contact with COVID-19 infected patients like family members and health care workers.
[#CSIRFightsCovid19]
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Myths vs Facts
No case of Delta Plus reported from sample sequencing in Tripura
The samples tested revealed cases of Delta Variant
There were some Media reports regarding rising cases of Delta Plus variants in Tripura. In this regard, it is informed that :
• 152 samples were sent from Tripura to NIBMG Kalyani for Whole Genome Sequence.
• The random samples were of people tested RT-PCR positive between April and May 2021
• The results of the WGS done at NIBMG Kalyani reveal-
o 3 samples had tested positive for B.1.1.7
o 11 samples had tested positive for B.1.617.1
o 138 samples had tested positive for B.1.617.2 
There was no case of Delta Plus reported among the aforementioned lot of sequenced samples.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
KVIC initiates Cleanliness campaign
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given the message of cleanliness to the entire countrymen on many occasions. While launching the Swachh Bharat Mission at New Delhi, Rajpath, Prime Minister said that
"only through a clean India, the country can pay its best tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary."
On October 2, 2014, the Swachh Bharat Mission was launched as a national movement widely across the country.
To fulfill this dream of Prime Minister, Khadi and Village Industries Commission  is engaged with its full capacity and full determination. In this regard ,Chairman of the Commission Shri Manoj Kumar initiated cleanliness campaign and reiterated his resolve towards cleanliness at Rajghat, New Delhi.
Earlier on September 17, 2022, on the occasion of Prime Minister's birthday, Chairman KVIC along with the officers and employees of the Central Office of the Commission, under the leadership of Shri Narayan Rane ,Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises organized a cleanliness program at Juhu Beach to spread awareness on cleanliness among the people.
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19:Cases and Management
One more suspect has tested positive for COVID-19. The COVID-19 confirmed case has a travel history of Thailand and Malaysia. The patient is in hospital quarantine and stable. There are now have 31 confirmed cases in the country. This includes 16 Italian nationals.
As per the latest advisory, all international passengers irrespective of nationality are mandated to undergo universal medical screening. Adequate screening measures have been setup and nine more airports have been added to the existing 21, bringing the total to 30 airports, as of today.
In addition, a day-long national level training on Covid-19 has been organized by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and WHO. This was inaugurated by Health SecretaryMsPreeti Sudan, here today. It is being attended by 280 health officials from all states, & hospitals of railways, defence, and paramilitary forces. It was also virtually attended by 1000 nodes across the country.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID Relief Aid
Global Aid to Strengthen India’s efforts against COVID continues to be swiftly cleared and sent to States/UTs in a timely manner
More than 11,000 Oxygen Concentrators; nearly 13,500 Oxygen Cylinders; 19 Oxygen Generation Plants; more than 7,500 ventilators/Bi PAP; ~5.3 L Remdesivir vials delivered/ dispatched, so far
In a spirit of goodwill and solidarity for India, the international community is supporting efforts by Government of India to combat the ongoing COVID-19. India has been receiving international donations and aid of COVID-19 relief medical supplies and equipment since 27th April 2021 from different countries/organisations to augment its efforts. Government of India is expeditiously delivering the global aid to States and UTs to supplement their resources and efforts.
Cumulatively, 11058 Oxygen Concentrators; 13,496 Oxygen Cylinders; 19 Oxygen Generation Plants; 7365 ventilators/Bi PAP; ~5.3L Remdesivir vials delivered/ dispatched through road and air, from 27th April 2021 to 15th May 2021.
Major consignments received on 14/15th May 2021 from Kazakhstan, Japan, Switzerland, Ontario , USA, Egypt and British Oxygen Co.  include:
- Oxygen Concentrators: 100
- Vetilators/BiPAP/CPAP: 500
- Oxygen Cylinder: 300
- Remdesivir: 40,000
- Masks & Protective Suits
The relief material has reached many States and UTs.
Dr Ramesh Chand, State Surveillance Officer, Himachal Pradesh speaks about the COVID-19 equipment received as part of foreign assistance for helping patients in the state.
[DD News twitter link: https://twitter.com/DDNewslive/status/1393859966159572993?s=08]
Effective immediate allocation, and streamlined delivery to the recipient states/UTs and institutions is an ongoing exercise. The Union Health Ministry is comprehensively monitoring this on a regular basis. A dedicated Coordination Cell has been created in the Union Health Ministry to coordinate the receipt and allocation of foreign COVID relief material as grants, aid and donations. This Cell started functioning from 26th April 2021. A Standard Operating Procedure has been framed and implemented by the Health Ministry since 2nd May, 2021.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Cargo Handling Capacity of Ports
The port-wise cargo handling capacity of Major Ports during 2020-21 is given as under:
|
|
Name of Port
|
|
Capacity 2020-21 
|
|
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata
|
|
90.77
|
|
Paradip Port
|
|
259.00
|
|
Visakhapatnam Port
|
|
134.18
|
|
Kamarajar Port
|
|
91.00
|
|
Chennai Port
|
|
135.00
|
|
V.O. Chidambaranar Port
|
|
111.46
|
|
Cochin Port
|
|
78.60
|
|
New Mangalore Port
|
|
104.73
|
|
Mormugao Port
|
|
63.40
|
|
Mumbai Port
|
|
84.00
|
|
Jawaharlal Nehru Port
|
|
141.37
|
|
Deendayal Port
|
|
267.10
During 2020-21, the total capacity of Major Ports was 1560.61 MTPA which was adequate to handle the movement of cargo. The total traffic handled during 2020-21 was 672.68 MT.
Infrastructure development and capacity augmentation of Major Ports is a continuous process. It involves construction of new berths and terminals, mechanization of existing berths and terminals, capital dredging for deepening of drafts for attracting larger vessels, development of road and rail connectivity etc. The details of projects approved / awarded during 2020-21 are as under:-
|
|
Name of Port
|
|
Nos. of project approved / awarded
|
|
Investment

|
|
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata
|
|
2
|
|
289.30
|
|
Paradip Port
|
|
1
|
|
3,004.63
|
|
Kamarajar Port
|
|
1
|
|
153.50
|
|
V.O. Chidambaranar Port
|
|
1
|
|
22.40
|
|
Cochin Port
|
|
3
|
|
31.35
|
|
New Mangalore Port
|
|
1
|
|
2.50
|
|
Mormugao Port
|
|
1
|
|
101.72
|
|
Mumbai Port
|
|
2
|
|
517.44
|
|
Jawaharlal Nehru Port
|
|
1
|
|
58.00
|
|
Deendayal Port
|
|
2
|
|
86.10
This information was given by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Union Government assisting Maharashtra in supply of Remdesivir in every manner: Shri Mansukh Mandaviya
The Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri Mansukh Mandaviya has today stated that the Government of India has been in active contact with officers of the Government of Maharashtra and is assisting with supply of Remdesivir in every manner. In a series of tweets he has strongly condemned statements of Maharashtra government, alleging otherwise.
Minister Shri Mandaviya has said that the Government to double the production in the country, has given express permission to 20 more Plants since 12-4-2021 to increase capacity to manufacture. Ensuring adequate supply of Remdesivir to the people of Maharashtra remains the priority of the Union Government
As per the Government’s record, there is only one unit of EoU and one in SEZ. Government has reached out to all the Manufacturers of Remdesivir. No such consignment is stuck.
The Minister has requested concerned people to share the list of these 16 companies, availability of stock and WHO-GMP with them. The Union Government is committed to do everything to help the people of this country.
Prime Minister's Office
PM’s reply to the motion of thanks on the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha
PM’s reply to the motion of thanks on the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha
(The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today replied to the motion of thanks on the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha. He thanked the various Members of the House, for adding vigour into the debate, and sharing insightful points.
Stating that there is something very special about 'Jan Shakti' – people’s power – the Prime Minister said that it is due to this 'Jan Shakti' that a person born in a poor family can become the Prime Minister of India.
The Prime Minister said that there are many people like him, who may not have had the opportunity to die for the nation during the freedom struggle, but who, being born in free India, are living for, and serving the nation. Stating that faith in Jan Shakti will give good results, he called upon the Members to understand and appreciate the inherent strength of our people, and take India to newer heights.
Explaining the rationale behind the advancement of the budget date, the Prime Minister said this would ensure better utilization of funds. Similarly, he said that the transport sector in the country now requires a comprehensive approach, which is possible by having just one Union Budget.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction at the change of discourse since he assumed office – stating that from a time when the discussion was on how much money is lost through scams, the discussion is now on how much black money has been recovered.
The Prime Minister declared that his struggle is for the poor, and this struggle to give the poor their due, will continue. He said that this Government does not see everything from the prism of elections, and the interests of the nation are supreme for the Government.
Comparing demonetization to the Swachh Bharat Mission, the Prime Minister said it is a movement to clean India from corruption and black money.
Responding to criticism of frequent changes in the rules related to demonetization, the Prime Minister said that this was done to stay a step ahead of those who wanted to find loopholes in the exercise. He noted that rules for MNREGA were also changed over a thousand times.
The Prime Minister said steps like crop insurance have been taken in a way that facilitates and benefits farmers.
The Prime Minister also praised the nation’s armed forces, and said that they are fully capable of defending the nation.
Ministry of Defence
Indian Coast Guard rescues nine crew from sinking vessel Ganga-I off Cinque Island
The Indian Coast Guard  rescued nine crew from sinking vessel Ganga-I off Cinque Island on June 23, 2021. The ICG had received a distress alert from Tug Ganga-I in approx. 30 nm South East of Port Blair. The Tug with nine crew had reportedly left Port Blair on June 22, 2021 with a barge, loaded with construction material, under tow. The vessel was scheduled to arrive at Hutbay in the early hours of June 23, 2021. However, the vessel crew observed heavy flooding in the engine room and activated distress to alert the authorities. Due to uncontrolled flooding, the crew had abandoned the Tug and took shelter onboard a barge for safety.
The ICG immediately launched a Search and Rescue  operation in coordination with Port Management Board , Port Blair in which ICG ships and PMB Tug ‘Ocean Marvel’ were deployed for response. ICG ship C-146 and ICG ship C-412 on routine deployment were immediately diverted for assistance. ICG ship Durgabai Deshmukh and PMB Tug ‘Ocean Marvel’ sailed from Port Blair with a damage control team and de-flooding equipment for immediate assistance.
The crew of the distress vessel was rescued and is reported to be safe. However, one crew sustained a leg injury and was successfully evacuated by ICG ship C-146. The crew was brought to Port Blair and has been shifted to GB Pant hospital for further medical management.
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Regular Scrutiny of Government Hospitals and CHCs
Public health and hospitals being a State subject, it is the responsibility of the States/UTs to regularly scrutinize the functioning of all healthcare facilities including Government hospitals and Community Health Centres  to ensure their proper functioning.
However, under National Health Mission , the various mechanisms to improve functioning of different public health facilities, including CHCs, comprise of regular review meetings, video conferences & field visits of senior officials, promoting performance by setting up benchmarks for service delivery & rewarding their achievements etc.
Through the mechanism of Health Management Information System  also functioning of hospitals is assessed. Similarly, guidelines like Indian Public Health Standard, National Quality Assurance Standard, Kayakalp, etc. also provide mechanisms to assess the functioning of public health institutions including CHCs.
Similarly, at health facility level, RogiKalyanSamitis  are envisaged to act as a forum to improve the functioning and service provisioning, increase participation and enhance accountability, for provision of better facilities to the patients at the level of Primary Health Centres and above.
Further in every district, DISHA are constituted for monitoring of various Centrally Sponsored Schemes in the District. It also includes representatives from PRIs and ULBs.
Availability of the drugs are being monitored through Drug and Vaccine Distribution Management System . DVDMS is a web-based Supply Chain Management System that deals in purchase, supply, distribution and inventory management of various drugs, sutures, surgical and consumable items. It has an inbuilt provision of monitoring and checking the availability of medicine at all facilities at district and state level. DVDMS links various Regional/ District Drug Warehouses , District Hospitals , their sub stores like Community Health Centres  and Primary Health Centres . Moreover, it has the functionality for distribution of drugs to patients, thus enabling tracking of consumption till last mile.
In addition to this, States are encouraged to do prescription audit to improve the quality of care provided by the health facilities and also to ensure prescription of generic and rational use of drugs. Standard Treatment guidelines  have been developed for ensuring rational use of drugs and preventing all forms of wastages.
The Minister of State , Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, here today.
Ministry of Education
Union Education Minister virtually addresses a webinar on National Education Policy for Holistic Development: Issues, Challenges and the Way Forward
Union Education Minister virtually addressed a webinar on National Education Policy for Holistic Development: Issues, Challenges and the Way Forward, organized by UGC Human Resource Development Centre , Jawaharlal Nehru University,  in joint collaboration with Research for Resurgence Foundation  today. As many as 125 people participated in the webinar from across India and abroad. Over 7,000 audiences connected with the live streaming of the program through the official Facebook page of JNU.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Pokhriyal stated that the new National Education Policy is among those few policies in the world which has been extensively deliberated upon. He said that NEP focusses on shaping the character of students by providing them holistic education. The policy will certainly help in materializing the Swami Vivekananda’s vision of ‘Study in India’ and ‘Stay in India’ by providing world class research infrastructure and opportunities within the country, he added. He remarked that one of the qualitative distinctions of NEP is to foster the spirit of “vasudhaiva kutumbakam” for the world. He also emphasized on the need of democratizing education by imparting it in our mother tongue. He recalled the words of Gandhiji that every village is a republic and hence it should be empowered by the light of education.
Chairman, Drafting Committee, NEP 2020, Prof. K. Kasturirangan presented an outline, significance and distinguishing features of the NEP 2020. He also informed about the rigor and dedication with which the new National Education Policy was crafted and drafted after detailed deliberations on its various aspects with all stakeholders. He informed us that NEP will play an important role in the 4th Industrial Revolution by capitalizing on the enormous demographic dividend of India. He also explained how the vision of education for future is inherent in NEP which will help us align our national goals with Sustainable Development Goals.
Vice Chancellor, JNU, Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar emphasized that the new National Education Policy  2020 is first of its kind after the independence of India. He also expressed emphatically that JNU is prepared to implement the National Policy and lead the other Institutions of Higher Education by example. He also informed that the various articles produced by the educationists of JNU will soon be available in form of a book and serve the purpose of disseminating awareness about the NEP 2020.
Prof. Jayant Tripathi expressed the heartfelt gratitude to the distinguished guests, the honorable VC, JNU, Director HRDC and all the committee members who contributed in successfully conducting the event.
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates US Vice President elect Kamala Harris
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated US Vice President elect Kamala Harris.
"Heartiest congratulations Kamala Harris! Your success is pathbreaking, and a matter of immense pride not just for your chittis, but also for all Indian-Americans. I am confident that the vibrant India-US ties will get even stronger with your support and leadership", the Prime Minister said.